L j8 ACO BRANCH NEWS The new lists are computerised, but a pilot project on greenbacks continues slowly with availability of resources de pendent on convincing DoE of the need. Spotlisting is here to stay, particularly in relation to thematic and geographical surveys which provide new reasoned justification for listings. There is no sign of spotlistings diminishing from the current 2,000-2,500 cases a year. Dr Bill Wilson complained of the difficulties fieldworkers have to face in tendering, and the small time available for research (one day in a library for a typical town). Tenders have to be based on the number of buildings in the existing list, but can be revised on the basis of buildings put forward by the local authority. His main problem was the number of buildings which are listed but shouldn't be, particularly through alterations (or demolition and replacement): his view was "every time that happens the system's failed", but while that may be correct in academic terms one has to wonder about the many careful renovations done, with listed building consent, in which loss of fabric simply could not be avoided. (When such an investment of public and private effort has been made, should not the system provide for continued protection to safeguard the fruit of that effort?) Both speakers emphasised the confidentiality of the review recommendations between fieldworker and supervisor; it is no longer possible for a Conservation Officer to seek an informal view on the listability of a building. In the afternoon session Sylvia Colman showed how inspection of building interiors from the out~~t of the list review had paid off time and time again in dealing with the 650 listed buildings in Bury. Jenny Carlile's concluding talk both pointed to what was ro be seen in rhe rours that followed, and highlighted how effective is the Sr Edmundsbury arrangement, in which Jenny as Conservation Officer is backed up by Sylvia and by Philip Aitkens as part-time specialist historic building consultants. Thoughts as I wri re rh is are dominated by this November's conference and the Shopfront Design Guide competition, for which a good number of entries have been received. The topic for November 1993 has been finalised: 'The Well-Serviced Historic Bui]ding', to include both new services and conservation of old installations of interest. Other conference organisers please note! John Preston YORKSHIRE BRANCH York is looking forward to hosting the 1994 Annual School with a possible theme on Conservation Areas and 1s currently considering a joint seminar with the Institute of Building Control on fire requirements and prevention. Yorkshire Branch is split up into separate county groups, each having its own convenor and arranging its own events. This facilitates regular meetings without members having to travel too far. The whole Branch membersh_ip is only brought together for the Branch AGM or for special events. Humberside and Notch Yorkshire hold combined events. In February, Mike Coupe of English Heritage gave the current interpretation of Conservation Area issues and an indication of possible areas of review.for the future. Matters discussed included Article 4 Directions, PPG 16, advertisements, street clutter, facadism, enforcement, Conservation Officer status, demolition, compensation, political influences and future legislation. West Yorkshire conducts regular quarterly meetings as part of the District Planning Officers' liaison arrangements. On 25 September, a meeting was held at Horbury where a range of current issues was covered, including stone cleaning, change of ecclesiastical use, Article 4 Directions, fire regulations, ram raiding in Conservation Areas, dry stone walls (loss of), and DNH listing and delisting. Trevor Mitchell from English Heritage contributed to the discussion. The Branch is working hard ro establish and maintain professional liaison with local architects and planners and the ACO, RIBA and RTP! will be supporting the English Heritage/BRE Framing Options campaign with a seminar at St William's College, York, on 10 March 1993 (see page 6). For information on Branch events or copies of the Branch Rules, con tact Bob Scriven, the Branch Officer; Harold Dick (Humberside), the Treasurer; or one of the local convenors - Norman Smith of Humberside, Jane Jackson of North Yorkshire, David Balcombe of South Yorkshire and Steve Bateman of West Yorkshire. Bob Scriven SCOTLAND BRANCH The public profile of the ACO in Scocland continues to increase, happily now generating some positive media interest - thanks to Emma Crawford and David Marrin for their recent contribution to Radio ·scotland's discussion programme on listed buildings with Colin Bell. We are also in demand on the social circuit, with an invitation in August from Douglas Johnston of Mason's Mortar in Leith co· visit his yard and "have a go". About a dozen of us spent a most enjoyable evening slaking lime and looking at the various products he has available: readymixed coarse stuff, tallow, hair, HT! powder etc. For anyone who hasn't yet seen lime being slaked it really is a most impressive chemical reaction, and surprisingly therapeutic wielding a paddle and churning a wonderful, white, steaming vat of lime after a hard day in the office! Douglas also provided us with a magnificent spread afterwards, ro counteract the intoxicating lime vapours(!) and we repaid him by repainting the back wall of his yard. There is an open invitation to ACO members ro go visit Masons and anyone who missed the August trip should contact Douglas Johnston on 031-555 0503. It is encouraging to see lime being slaked in Scocland again and we can only hope that more contractors follow suit. Our main quarterly meeting was held on 9 October in Paisley, hosted by Julie Nicol and Duncan Macintosh of Renfrew District Council. For many of us this was our first visit to Paisley and almost certainly won't be the last, as the town offers a wealth of architectural heritage, particularly to those interested in mills or Art Nouveau. On our short visit we looked at the Anchor Mills complex, the Paisley Centre Development scheme, the Oakshaw Town scheme and the grade A listed John Neilson Institute, now successfully converted inro residential use, amongst others. We also inspected the delightful Art Nouveau interior of the grade A listed Bull Inn (W D McLennan, 1900) which is well worth a visit. It is hoped that a few more of these fascinating Paisley interiors will be open to the public on 'Doors Open Day' next year. For further information on Doors Open Day see next issue - a Context 'exclusive' on an ancient Scots tradition (well, three years old anyway!) chat has yet to spread south of the border. • Provisional date of next meeting: 10.30am on Friday 22 January 1993, Inverclyde District Council. Please contact Mia Scott at Clydesdale District Council (0555 661331 ext 237) for further details. Debbie Robertson SOUTH BRANCH Soaking rain all day hardly dampened our enjoyment of the richness of John Ashdown and Edith Gollnast's tour of Oxford. As the city Conservation Officers, they have amazing layers of knowledge - the original architect or stonemason, the Victorian restorers, the modern renewers and the controversies their work often stir up; all of these sharpened our focus on what we saw. Appropriately we started in the Convocation House of 1330, the oldest purpose-built university building anywhere, whatever Cambridge, Paris or Bologna might claim. le has been through many subsequent uses including the university fire station and a store for type. Its recent conversion to a coffee house meant raising the floor, removing medieval glazing to make a serving hatch and putting a new exir through ancient stonework. Nevertheless, it makes a very pleasant and much needed place of refreshment. Access co Oxford colleges is apparently a shrinking urn1rnodity. We felt conscious of rhc privilege of being allowed ro CONTEXT :'iCi
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